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Best Dog Beach

Marin

Stinson Beach

Highway 1, between Mill Valley and Bolinas.

Napa

Napa River at John F. Kennedy Park

Highway 221 just south of Napa Valley College. 707.257.9529.

Sonoma

Dillon Beach

1 Beach Ave., Dillon Beach.

Honorable Mention

Salmon Creek Beach, Bodega Bay

Between Jenner and Bodega Bay on Highway 1. 707.875.3483.

Best Dog Trainer

Marin

Marin Humane Society

171 Bel Marin Keys Blvd., Novato. 415.506.6263.

Napa

Dina Mitchell, Caninestein Dog Training

547 Randolph St., Apt. C, Napa. 707.254.9615.

Sonoma

Sapir Weiss, Olivet Kennel & Dog Training Resort

2404 Olivet Road, Santa Rosa. 707.542.2066.

Honorable Mention

Patty Malnick, Happy Dogs

3687 Hemlock St., Santa Rosa. 707.570.2809.

Best Groomer

Marin

Canine Design, Lois Amaru

1435 Fourth St., Ste. C, San Rafael. 415.456.4112.

Napa

Tails of the City

2205-A Main St., Napa. 707.254.7877.

Sonoma

Stephanie Burgasser, Humane Society & SPCA of Sonoma County

5345 Hwy. 12, Santa Rosa. 707.542.0882.

Honorable Mention

The Soggy Doggy

452 Tenth St., Santa Rosa. 707.542.0244.

Best Pet Boutique

Marin

Canine Design

1435 Fourth St., Ste. C, San Rafael. 415.456.4112.

Napa

Vineyard Dog

1136 Main St., Napa. 707.226.5300.

Sonoma

Healdsburg Dog House

212 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.431.1044.

Honorable Mention

Fideaux

401 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.433.9935.

Best Veterinarian

Marin

Dr. Mary Whitney, Pt. Reyes Animal Hospital

11030 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.1533.

Napa

Dr. Paul Hess, Silverado Veterinary Hospital

2035 Silverado Trail, Napa. 707.224.7953.

Sonoma

Dr. David McCrystle

135 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.433.5539.

Honorable Mention

Dr. Grant Patrick, Montecito Veterinary Center

4900 Sonoma Hwy., Santa Rosa. 707.539.2322.

Best Animal Surgeon

Marin

San Rafael Animal Hospital

419 Irwin St., San Rafael. 415.453.2004.

Napa

Dr. Paul O. Hess, Silverado Veterinary Hospital

2035 Silverado Trail, Napa. 707.224.7953.

Sonoma

Dr. David McCrystle

135 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.433.5539.

Honorable Mention

Dr. Gilbert T. Robello

1370 Fulton Road, Santa Rosa. 707.579.5900.

Best Cigar Pipe Shop

Marin

Mighty Quinn

1099 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.457.2420.

Napa

Baker Street Tobacco Clocks

1018 First St., Napa. 707.255.4434.

Sonoma

Mighty Quinn

3372 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.545.5081.

Honorable Mention

Homeblown Glass

705 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.591.0420.

7108 Bodega Ave., Sebastopol. 707.824.8242.

Peacepipe

622 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.541.7016.

Best Grocery Store

Marin

First Place Tie

United Markets

515 Third St., San Rafael. 415.454.8912.

100 Redhill Ave., San Anselmo. 415.456.1271.

Good Earth Natural & Organic Foods

1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax. 415.454.0123.

Napa

Vallerga's Market

3385 Solano Ave., Napa. 707.253.2621.

Sonoma

Oliver's Market

546 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati. 707.795.9501.

560 Montecito Court, Santa Rosa. 707.537.7123.

561 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa. 707.284.3530.

Honorable Mention

Pacific Markets

550 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. 707.823.4916.

1465 Town and Country Drive, Santa Rosa. 707.546.3663.

901 Golf Course Drive, Rohnert Park. 707.585.9643.

Best Natural Foods Store

Marin

Good Earth Natural & Organic Foods

1966 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Fairfax. 415.454.0123.

Napa

Golden Carrot Natural Foods

1621 W. Imola Ave., Napa. 707.224.3117.

Sonoma

Community Market

1899 Mendocino Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.546.1806.

Honorable Mention

Oliver's Market

546 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati. 707.795.9501.

560 Montecito Court, Santa Rosa. 707.537.7123.

461 Stony Point Road, Santa Rosa. 707.284.3530.

Best Ethnic Market

Marin

Asian Market

5 Mary St., San Rafael. 415.459.7133.

Napa

Oxbow Public Market

610 First St., Napa. 707.226.6529.

Sonoma

Lola's Market

1680 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. 707.571.7579.

440 Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.577.8846.

Honorable Mention

Asia Market

1110 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. 707.546.9618.

Best Culinary Store

Marin

Pini Ace Hardware

1535 S. Novato Blvd., Novato. 415.892.1577.

Napa

Shackford's Kitchen Store

1350 Main St., Napa. 707.226.2132.

Sonoma

Hardisty's

1565 Farmers Lane, Santa Rosa. 707.545.0534.

Honorable Mention

McCoy's Cookware

2579 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.526.3856.

Best Antique Shop

Marin

Dove Place Antiques & Consignment

160 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo. 415.453.1490.

Napa

Silverado Antique Center

1210 Napa Town Center, Napa. 707.253.1966.

Sonoma

Whistle Stop Antiques

130 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.542.9474.

Honorable Mention

Antique Society

2661 Gravenstein Hwy. S., Sebastopol. 707.829.1733.

Best Appliance Store

Marin

Martin & Harris Appliances

2158 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.454.2021.

Napa

Harbison Appliance

333 Third St., Napa. 707.253.2141.

Sonoma

Asien's Appliances

1801 Piner Road, Santa Rosa. 707.546.3749.

Honorable Mention

TeeVax

422 Wilson St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.1195.

Best Furniture Store

Marin

Sunrise Home

831 B St., San Rafael. 415.456.3939.

Napa

Custom House Furniture

706 Trancas St., Napa. 707.224.5544.

Sonoma

Pedersen's Furniture Company

707 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.542.1855.

Honorable Mention

Gado Gado International

129 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.525.8244.

Best Home Furnishings

Sonoma

Cokas Diko

529 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.548.4044.

9000 Windsor Road, Windsor. 707.838.6555.

Honorable Mention

Pedersen's Furniture Company

707 Fifth St., Santa Rosa. 707.542.1855.

Best Home Improvement

Napa

Steve's Hardware & Homeware

1370 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.3423.

Sonoma

Friedman's Home Improvement

4055 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.584.7811.

1360 Broadway Ave., Sonoma. 707.939.8811.

Honorable Mention

Sebastopol Hardware Center

660 Hwy. 116 N., Sebastopol. 707.823.7688.

Best Nursery

Marin

Sloat Garden Centers

www.sloatgardens.com

Napa

Whiting Nursery

738 Main St., St. Helena. 707.963.5358.

Sonoma

Harmony Farm Supply & Nursery

3244 Gravenstein Hwy. N., Sebastopol. 707.823.9125.

Honorable Mention

King's Nursery

1212 13th St., Santa Rosa. 707.542.4782.

Best Home Builder

Marin

First Place Tie

Steve Rempe Contractor Inc.

1020 Railroad Ave., Novato. 415.897.9126.

Jack Mosher Construction Inc.

504 Red Hill Ave., San Anselmo. 415.457.0713.

Napa

Christopherson Homes Inc.

1315 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa. 707.542.8222.

Sonoma

Christopherson Homes Inc.

1315 Airport Blvd., Santa Rosa. 707.524.8222.

Honorable Mention

Monsoon Construction Company

P.O. Box 1502, Healdsburg. 707.433.7813.

Best Real Estate Agent & Company

Marin

Carol Scott, Bradley Real Estate

700 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 415.258.4141.

Napa

Fay Guman Real Estate Services

1025 Mt. George Ave., Napa. 707.255.5316.

Sonoma

Jeffrey Seligson, Prudential Real Estate

7300 Healdsburg Ave., Sebastopol. 707.829.2011.

Honorable Mention

Gail Ryan, Healdsburg Realty

709 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.431.9757.

Best Bank

Marin

Bank of Marin

www.bankofmarin.com

Napa

Napa Community Bank

700 Trancas St., Napa. 707.227.9300.

Sonoma

Exchange Bank

545 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.524.3000.

Honorable Mention

Redwood Credit Union

www.redwoodcu.org

Best Nonprofit

Marin

West Marin Family Center

11550 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.8101.

Napa

Arts Council Napa Valley

1041 Jefferson St., Ste. 4, Napa. 707.257.2117.

Sonoma

Sutter VNA & Hospice Foundation

1110 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.535.5700.

Honorable Mention

Humane Society & SPCA of Sonoma County

5345 Hwy. 12, Santa Rosa. 707.542.0882.

Best Auto Dealer New

Marin

RAB Motors

540 W. Francisco Blvd., San Rafael. 415.454.0582.

Napa

Jimmy Vasser Chevrolet

583 Soscol Ave., Napa. 707.255.7600.

Sonoma

Freeman Toyota

2875 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.1791.

Honorable Mention

Manly Honda

2750 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.5377.

Best Auto Dealer Used

Marin

RAB Motors

540 W. Francisco Blvd., San Rafael. 415.454.0582.

Napa

Jimmy Vasser Chevrolet

583 Soscol Ave., Napa. 707.255.7600.

Sonoma

Freeman Toyota

2875 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.1791.

Honorable Mention

Manly Honda

2750 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.5377.

Best Auto Detailing

Marin

Anthony's Auto Craft Inc.

103 Verdi St., San Rafael. 415.456.7591.

Napa

Classic Car Wash

1050 Freeway Drive, Napa. 707.255.5655.

Sonoma

First Place Tie

Autobahn Auto Detailing

3485 Airway Drive, Santa Rosa. 707.528.8455.

Silveira

985 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.433.5541.

Honorable Mention

Freeman Toyota

2875 Corby Ave., Santa Rosa. 707.542.1791.

Best Auto Repair

Marin

Anthony's Auto Craft Inc.

103 Verdi St., San Rafael. 415.456.7591.

Napa

Advanced Auto Body Center

2497 Second St., Napa. 707.226.9693.

Sonoma

Out West Garage

321 Second St., Petaluma. 707.769.0162.

Honorable Mention

Tri Star Automotive

484 Kenwood Court, Santa Rosa. 707.571.8866.

Best Mode of Alt Transportation

Marin

Golden Gate Ferry

www.goldengateferry.org

Napa

Evans Transportation

4075 Solano Ave., Napa. 707.253.1300.

Sonoma

Sonoma County Transit

www.sctransit.com

Honorable Mention

Rickshaw Rudy's

P.O. Box 1585, Windsor. 707.838.9922.

Best Motorcycle Shop

Marin

Golden Gate Harley Davidson

13 San Clemente Drive, Corte Madera. 415.927.4464.

7077 Redwood Blvd., Novato. 415.878.4988.

Napa

Yamaha of Napa

459 Soscol Ave., Napa. 707.254.7432.

Sonoma

Moto Meccanica

1111 Petaluma Hill Road, Santa Rosa. 707.578.6686.

Honorable Mention

Michael's Harley Davidson

7601 Redwood Drive, Cotati. 707.793.9180.

Best Scooter Shop

Napa

Big Kid Toys

476 Soscol Ave., Napa. 707.256.3300.

Sonoma

Revolution Moto

307 D St., Santa Rosa. 707.523.2371.

Honorable Mention

Zap

501 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.545.5190.

Best Electronics Store

Marin

Marin Electronics

823 Fourth St., San Rafael. 800.321.4524.

Napa

Abe's Electronics

1030 Lincoln Ave., Napa. 707.265.8575.

Sonoma

California Audio & Video

10101 Main St., Penngrove. 707.795.9065.

Honorable Mention

HSC Electronics & Computers

5681 Redwood Drive, Rohnert Park. 707.585.7344.

Best Independent Computer Store

Marin

Marin Mac Store

1031 C St., San Rafael. 415.459.9380.

Sonoma

Wine Country Computers

424 Center St., Healdsburg. 707.431.8818.

Honorable Mention

Santa Rosa Computers

820 Piner Road, Santa Rosa. 707.570.2040.

Best Internet Provider

Marin

Horizon Cable

www.horizoncable.com

Napa

Napanet

www.napanet.net

Sonoma

Sonic.Net

www.sonic.net

Honorable Mention

Silicon Valley North

www.svn.net

sonic.net: sympathetic and serene

"Um, hi. I'm one of your customers, one of your dumber customers. You know how you guys, and yeah, I guess every other IT professional, always natters on about the importance of keeping passwords and log-ins, you know, separate from the computer? How you folks are always nagging dumb people like me about writing stuff down and putting it somewhere where it can be found again? Well, I'm just calling to tell you that you were right. Turns out that leaving every log-in and pass I have from my kids' FAFSA interface to my grudging MySpace log-in to . . . well, that's why I'm calling . . . it's all on those electronic sticky notes, the ones that are like virtual Post-Its, do you know those? Yeah, they're great. Anyway, that program seems to have died or I accidentally erased it from my hard drive or fairies came in the night and stole it, I dunno, but they're gone, and now I don't know how to access my web-based email for you guys because without them I evidently have no brain and I certainly have no password. Can you help?"

The above could be an annual transcription from certain dumb editors, those who do in fact keep every vital piece of information sketchily stored on those great little sticky notes that are just like virtual Post-Its and that have, on occasion, simply gone away. Which is when I must bore and annoy the good folks at Sonic.net, your pick for Best Internet Service Provider for Sonoma County. They're my ISP, too, and I must confess to a deep and rigorous love. Because every year when I have once again totally forgotten how to log on to my web-based email and the stickies have forsaken me, I have once again called them, delivered the long boring ramble transcribed above, and a helpful person has been able to cleverly mask his (obvious, innate) hatred for me and my stupidity by making everything right. In minutes. As if by magic. Or by fairies. Or perhaps it's the virtual stickies working their goodness on everything. The Internets, go figure. Sonic.net, www.sonic.net—G.G..

Best Independent Copy Biz Services

Marin

Pt. Reyes Printing

65 Third St., Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.9355.

Napa

The Copy Corner

2200 Jefferson St., Napa. 707.258.1835.

Sonoma

Sprint Copy Center

175 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.823.3900.

Honorable Mention

Jensen's Copy & Fine Arts Supply

336 Center St., Healdsburg. 707.433.8831.

Best Fair Trade Sustainable Goods Business

Marin

Coyuchi Inc.

11101 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.8077.

Sonoma

Kindred Fair Trade Handcrafts

605 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.579.1459.

Honorable Mention

Real Goods

www.realgoodssolar.com

Best Gift Shop

Marin

Bloomworks

200 Bon Air Shopping Center, Greenbrae. 415.464.8166.

518 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.453.2478.

Napa

Visions of the Napa Valley

6540 Washington St., Yountville. 707.944.1277.

Sonoma

Milk & Honey

123 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.824.1155.

Honorable Mention

Mr. Moon's

316 Center St., Healdsburg. 707.433.6666.

Best Musical Instruments Store

Marin

Bananas at Large

1504 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.457.7600.

Napa

Napa Music Supply

2026 Redwood Road, Napa. 707.265.8275.

Sonoma

People's Music

122 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.823.7664.

Honorable Mention

Zone Music

7884 Old Redwood Hwy., Cotati. 707.644.1213.

Best Jewelry Store

Marin

Stephan-Hill Jewelry Designers

1226 Fourth St., San Rafael. 415.459.5808.

Napa

Napa Valley Jewelers

1317 North Town Center, Napa. 707.224.0997.

Sonoma

Artisana

146 N. Main St., Sebastopol. 707.829.3036.

Honorable Mention

Earthworks

350 Coddingtown Center, Santa Rosa. 707.528.7181.

403 First St. W., Sonoma. 707.935.0290.

Best Costume Shop

Marin

The Belrose

1415 Fifth Ave., San Rafael. 415.454.6422.

Napa

Wild Cat!

1210 First St., Napa. 707.257.8702.

Sonoma

Disguise the Limit / Funny Business

100 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.575.1477.

Honorable Mention

HeeBee JeeBee's

46 Kentucky St., Petaluma. 707.773.3222.

Best Art Supplies

Marin

Perry's Art Supplies & Framing

128 Greenfield Ave., San Anselmo. 415.454.3317.

Napa

Napa Valley Art Supply

(in Cartons and Crates) 253-A Walnut St., Napa. 707.224.7447.

Sonoma

Rileystreet Art Supply

103 Maxwell Ct., Santa Rosa. 707.526.2416.

Honorable Mention

Village Art Supply

525 Hahman Drive, Santa Rosa. 707.575.4501.

Best Framing Shop

Marin

Cheap Pete's

221 Third St., San Rafael. 415.455.8055.

Sonoma

Hammerfriar Gallery

129 Healdsburg Ave., Healdsburg. 707.473.9600.

Honorable Mention

My Daughter the Framer

1617 Terrace Way, Santa Rosa. 707.542.3599.

Best Bookstore New

Marin

Book Passage

51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 415.927.0960.

Napa

Copperfield's Books

www.copperfields.net

Sonoma

Copperfield's Books

www.copperfields.net

Honorable Mention

North Light Books & Cafe

550 E. Cotati Ave., Cotati. 707.792.4300.

Best Bookstore Used

Marin

First Place Tie

San Anselmo Booksmith

615 San Anselmo Ave., San Anselmo. 415.459.7323.

Pt. Reyes Books

11315 Hwy. 1, Pt. Reyes Station. 415.663.1542.

Napa

Copperfield's Books

www.copperfields.net

Sonoma

Copperfield's Books

www.copperfields.net

Honorable Mention

Treehorn Books

625 Fourth St., Santa Rosa. 707.525.1782.

Book Passage: Intellectual smorgie

By and large—and with the obvious exception of Michael Chabon—writers are an ugly lot. That allows them to freely shop at the same grocery store you do, pump discount gas into their used cars just in front of you and be passed out at the local pub on the stool right next to you without you being ever the wiser. Not counting such superstars as Amy Tan, who keeps a pied-à-terre in Sausalito, thus making her a North Bay neighbor, most writers, even the searingly beloved, can freely go through their days unrecognized. (Paparazzi aren't generally interested in skinny neurotic people whose most pumped-up feature is the wrist.) Such anonymity is maintained until they're under the modest spotlight provided by Book Passage, your pick for Best New Bookstore in Marin County. At near-nightly free events, Book Passage is fairly the 92nd Street Y for the Left Coast set, sending superstar writer after superstar writer in through its doors for intimate readings, lively discussions, popular conferences, bustling book clubs and many fundraising events.

Started in 1976 by Elaine Petrocelli and her husband Bill, Book Passage now hosts some 700 readings a year in its Corte Madera store and newer outlet in San Francisco's Ferry Building. Al Gore has held sway there as has Dave Barry. Marin writers Anne Lamott and Isabel Allende are guaranteed to be in the house when they've got new releases. Threatened by that Other Bookstore taking over corporate residence at the Corte Madera Town Center, Book Passage has serenely continued to do what it's always done best, connecting readers with writers. There are not many other bookstores anywhere—the North Bay or beyond—where a reader can daydream over the many Paris apartments for rent before taking a French class before having a lovely lunch before purchasing a book before taking a writing class or even before attending a two-day conference led by premiere writers and literary agents. Book Passage has made such a delicious intellectual buffet a daily reality.